Lakeview Terrace DVD Review

"Lakeview Terrace" reviews

DVD: Lakeview Terrace
Author: anonymous
Date reviewed: 2009-04-01 12:27:12
Rating: 3/5
Provider
DVD Review: After a whole host of somewhat mediocre movies in recent years (think The Cleaner, Snakes On A Plane, Home Of the Brave), the uber cool and oh so likeable Samuel L Jackson (forever immortalised in Tarantino's Pulp Fiction) has signed up for yet another one - Neil LaBute's Lakeview Terrace.

At least that's how it seems on first impressions. The film is a bog standard thriller essentially about a new couple who move into a new house, only to find they have a neighbour from hell - sorry the neighbour from hell. And no, not Mrs Bucket. Enter stage left Mr Jackson.

However, what was on paper a mediocre film is brought to life with some electrifying performances. The dependable and somewhat underrated Patrick Wilson (Little Children, Watchmen) and Kerry Washington (Last King Of Scotland, Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer) play Chris and Lis Mattson, an interracial couple who move into the area, only to find that the neighbour, Abel Turner, has a slightly sinister air about him.

His kids are terrified of him, he certainly doesn't approve of smoking, his house is lit up like a Pink Floyd concert and he only seems to see things in black or white - particularly when it comes to couples. So imagine his temper tantrum when Wilson moves in, flicking fag butts onto the street and frolicking with his wife 'Showgirls' style' in his swimming pool in front of Abe's children. There's certainly a hint of vengeance and furious anger after that little exhibition. And, to make matters worse, this guy's a copper - LAPD no less - so complaining to the authorities would be about as welcome as a porcine gift during Ramadan.

So far, so two dimensional, but the awesomeness of Big Sam's performance elevates this above such standard fodder. As he flashes that trademark grin, he manages to display charm, appeal, conceit, and pure terror in just one solitary denture-baring moment.

In a wave of hate against this couple, the racist Turner leaves no stone unturned in his quest to drive them out of the close, while impending forest fires threaten to engulf the area. Ok, so the ending is a bit of a disappointment, but as bad guys go, Abe Turner is up there with the best of them and the film, like almost all Samuel L Jackson films, will no doubt be a sure fire success on DVD.
Copyright © 2009.

DVD

Lakeview Terrace

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-03-27 19:00:38

Provider

DVD Review

Sam Jackson is a tough cop who wants to keep his neighbourhood clean and safe at any cost,

Abel Turner is a single Dad trying to bring up his two kids. He's also a member of the LAPD, so well aware of the dangers to his family and home. He's appointed himself neighbourhood watchmen for Lakeview Terrace and patrols the street each night. When the Mattson's, a young couple move in next door Abel is clearly unhappy as he disapproves of their interracial relationship. Things are compounded when his kids oversee the couple frolicking in their pool one evening. So Abel begins to harass them, but his actions quickly turn from threats into terrorising them. Whilst they try to find a way to fight back Abel's actions start to go beyond the law, but Chris and Lisa Mattson are determined not to give in and sacrifice their dream home. However, the consequences could be murder.

You can always rely on Sam Jackson to come up with the goods when you need a menacing character. His cop is a sinister, duplicitous racist and Sam never lets you forget it. The target of his anger is Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington. Most people would pack up and get out faced with Jackson's cop. Thankfully, they don't. No doubt they've faced this type of attack before and enough is enough. So we get a tense thriller.

However, the film's tone is somewhat mishandled by director Neil LaBute. He doesn't seem sure whether he's making a tense thriller or social commentary. Consequently, at times the couple comes across as selfish and flighty and Jackson's cop too old school. However, LaBute's experience with scene-setting and pacing of plot compensates, meaning the viewer will feel uncomfortable - partly due to being scared by Jackson's character and partly by the near-to-the-knuckle truth of this story.

Worth watching for Jackson's performance alone, but worth watching as it tackles a subject all too many films shy away from.